Premier

Geelong To Bowl Up Big Bash Blockbuster This Summer

01 September 2017

There’ll be no love lost when hometown hero Aaron Finch leads the Melbourne Renegades on to Simonds Stadium to take on the Sydney Sixers in the first ever Big Bash double-header in regional Victoria this summer.

Minister for Sport John Eren joined Melbourne Renegades stars Tim Ludeman and Sophie Molineux today to announce a men’s and women’s T20 blockbuster against the Sixers in Geelong on 3 January.

Local pride will be on show as Molly Strano takes to the field alongside Australian and international superstars including Dwayne Bravo, Ashleigh Gardner, Nathan Lyon and Cameron White.

Broadcast to 147 countries worldwide, all eyes will be on Geelong as Big Bash League action kicks off in front of the new Brownlow Stand, lifting the stadium’s capacity to 36,000.

The double-header will strengthen Kardinia Park’s reputation as Australia’s regional home of cricket, having already hosted the Australian, Sri Lankan and West Indies national teams, as well as the Melbourne Stars.

The Renegades will host a week long training camp and community activities around Geelong in the lead up to the clash, with a Family Day at Kardinia Park on Sunday, 10 December where fans can meet the players.

The Andrews Labor Government is working with Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria to bring more world-class cricket to regional communities.

Events like these give locals the chance to see their heroes live in their own backyard, and visitors the opportunity to see all this region has to offer.

The Labor Government is proud to have helped secure this double-header thanks to funding from the Regional Events Fund and the Significant Sporting Events Program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren

“We’re turning Kardinia Park into the best regional stadium in Australia so we can host blockbusters like this.”

Bringing Big Bash to Geelong will inspire our kids, attract visitors and create an incredible buzz around town.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“I’m sure Aaron Finch and Molly Strano will be fired up playing on their home turf and will inspire their sides to give it their all for Victoria.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?